Astronomy center store renamed for bank donor

The Museum Store at the 'Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo is now called the Bank of Hawaii Museum Store to recognize a $150,000 gift from the bank's Charitable Foundation.

"The Bank of Hawaii and its Charitable Foundation are committed to education, and we're 100 percent behind the center's mission to help inspire and educate new generations of youth to pursue an interest in science," said Al Landon, the bank's chairman and chief executive officer.

The astronomy center is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday with a state-of-the-art planetarium, exhibits, a 3-D theater showcasing data from the Subaru Telescope and a "Science on a Sphere" globe from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

EASING THE CHANGE:

CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Sonja Swenson-Rogers received a treatment from massage therapist Darin Mishima yesterday in the shadow of the First Hawaiian Bank building downtown. The massage was part of a promotion for the rebranding of the Sheraton Moana Surfrider to a Westin resort. CLICK FOR LARGE

Shower is reinstalled at Makaha

The city recently installed a new shower on the Ewa end of Makaha Beach following an outpouring of community requests after an old shower in the same area was removed a few months ago.

The shower was removed after the city tore down the makai comfort station due to deterioration and corrosion. The station that included a shower was designed to serve only as a temporary station, which was built after Hurricane Iniki.

Jimmy Keaulana, son of famed Makaha waterman Richard "Buffalo" Keaulana, collected 2,000 signatures from those who wanted the city to install a new shower.

Before the new shower was installed, up to 300 people, primarily on the weekends, would cross Farrington Highway to take a shower at the comfort station on the mauka side of the beach, putting themselves at risk when crossing the busy thoroughfare, Keaulana said.

Fewer people now cross the highway since beachgoers can rinse off at the new shower on the makai side of the beach, he added.

The new shower tree with foundation was installed Friday with the use of an existing water source, said Les Chang, director of the Department of Parks and Recreation.

Child facility hosts introduction

Kulana Malama, Hawaii's first facility dedicated to caring for medically fragile children, will hold an information session for parents from 1 to 3 p.m. June 10.

A guided tour will be included in the program at the facility, located at 91-1360 Karayan St. in Ewa Beach. The facility has a storybook atmosphere for children with a giant beanstalk, castles and other whimsical features.

Long-term care placement, respite and day-care programs, assessments and reimbursement issues will be among topics covered.

The 30-bed pediatric facility recently was approved by the state Department of Health to care for medically fragile children and says it welcomes Medicaid patients.

The Health Department estimates Hawaii has nearly 3,000 "medically fragile" children who qualify for Medicaid, Kulana Malama said in a news release.

Event offers free keiki ID kits

Keiki ID kits will be available for parents at Windward Mall on June 16.

Each kit contains information on a child, a recent photo, and DNA and dental information.

Information in the kit allows law enforcement to investigate expeditiously if a child is reported missing.

"Authorities tell us that every second counts, time is of essence when a child goes missing," said Charlene Takeno, director of Missing Child Center-Hawaii.

Statistics show the first three hours are the most crucial when a child is missing. Police say there is a higher chance of recovery when photos and information on the child are released to the public.

About 800,000 children go missing nationwide a year, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. An average of 2,185 children are reported missing every day.

Takeno encourages parents to obtain a Keiki ID kit as summer approaches, the peak time for vacations. The free kit is available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event is sponsored by the Department of the Attorney General, Missing Child Center-Hawaii; the Hawaii Sheriff Association; and Friends of the Missing Child Center-Hawaii.

Molokai Brush fire 80 percent contained

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation

LEO AZAMBUJA / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-BULLETINFirefighters have contained about 80 percent of a brush fire in west Molokai that began around noon on Monday. The fire had burned about 3,000 acres of brush but posed no threat to homes, county spokeswoman Mahina Martin said yesterday afternoon. Martin said winds were blowing 12 to 15 mph from the east, and firefighters were still trying to put out the blaze in some areas where access is difficult. Two helicopters have been dispatched to help ground crews, she said. The fire began near the 11-mile marker near Kaluakoi. Fire officials are still investigating the cause of the blaze. CLICK FOR LARGE

Victim in killing formally named

The city Medical Examiner's Office has confirmed the victim in last week's Halawa Heights murder is 55-year-old Lisa Weidman.

She died from strangulation and stab wounds to her neck and chest. Weidman's boyfriend discovered her body in their Paihi Street home Wednesday night.

Police said the younger Weidman told them she had to kill her mother "before she killed me." She remains in custody in lieu of $50,000 bail.

LEEWARD OAHU

Live grenade found near police station

Police found what was believed to be a live grenade round from a grenade launcher next to the Waianae station.

The projectile, described as about 5 inches long, was found in a grassy area near the Waianae Store, which is next to the station, at about 10:10 a.m. yesterday.

Police said SWAT teams secured the round and gave it to the military for disposal. It is not yet certain where the round came from.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Pahoa crash victim identified

The 24-year-old woman who died Saturday in a Pahoa crash on the Big Island was identified yesterday as Dionne Meyers of Hilo.

Big Island police determined a 19-year-old man was driving his 1990 Honda sedan east on Route 130 at high speed when it collided with Meyers' 2001 Mazda making a left turn from Post Office Road.

Meyers, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected onto the roadway and was struck by a 1995 Acura driven by a 17-year-old girl.

The Honda driver was arrested at Hilo Medical Center for negligent homicide and driving under the influence. He was released because he was in critical condition and was flown to the Queen's Medical Center on Oahu.

Meyers is the 16th Big Island traffic fatality, compared with 14 this time last year.

Man, 30, arrested in Puna burglary

College Richards, also known as Benjamin Feldman, of Keaau, was arrested in connection with a burglary in the Fern Acres subdivision in the Puna district.

Stolen items, including an all-terrain vehicle, were found hidden at a farm on the other side of the island, in Captain Cook, police said.

Richard was charged Saturday with burglary, auto theft, criminal property damage and two counts of theft. He is being held in lieu of $20,000 bail.

HONOLULU

2 men hit crossing Moanalua Freeway

Two Kalihi men were in critical condition after being hit by the same car as they ran across the Moanalua Freeway on Monday night.

Police said that the men, ages 20 and 23, were in a car that had pulled over on the North King Street offramp from the Koko Head-bound lanes of the freeway near the Ahua Street overpass about 11:30 p.m.

Apparently, after an argument, police said, the men left the car and ran mauka across the Koko Head-bound lanes of the freeway and were hit by a 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier in the innermost lane.

They were taken to the Queen's Medical Center in critical condition.

The 66-year-old driver of the Cavalier complained of pain in his right leg but refused treatment. Police said speed and alcohol were not factors for the driver, but that alcohol may have been a factor for the victims. The road was wet and the area was not lit, police said.

Brick is hurled at woman's car

Police arrested a 39-year-old man who allegedly hurled a brick at a woman's windshield Monday in Salt Lake.

At about 4:30 p.m., the suspect and a 42-year-old woman were arguing over finances.

As the woman tried to drive away, the suspect threw a large brick at her vehicle, shattering the windshield, police said.

He was booked on suspicion of criminal property damage.

Second suspect sought in burglary

Police arrested one of two suspects in a robbery case that gave a Kalihi man a rude awakening.

About 12:55 a.m. April 11, the 41-year-old man was sleeping in his Kalihi apartment and awakened to find two men standing next to his bed, one wielding a hammer and the other a shovel, police said.

The suspects stole property, threatened the man and fled on foot, police said.

They arrested an 18-year-old man Monday on suspicion of first-degree robbery. Police were looking for the second suspect.

EAST OAHU

Driver held after mo-ped crash

Police arrested a 27-year-old man after he crashed a stolen mo-ped early Sunday.

Police said the man, who has no local address, told them the mo-ped he was driving hit a bump on Kalanianaole Highway and crashed near Kuliouou Road around 3 a.m.

They later learned that the mo-ped was reported stolen by a 48-year-old man on Jan. 9.

The suspect had been taken to the Queen's Medical Center for treatment and was arrested at 7:30 a.m. for investigation of auto theft.